Piston spreader



Dec. l, 1936. E. B. RoTHwl-:ILER 2,062,826

PISTONA SPREADER Filed April 28, 1934 Patented Dee. 1, 193e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE applicant; gai-Lai; 21:0. '122,923` y This invention relates to piston spreaders.

An object of the invention is to provide a device having laterally extended portions adapted to bev engaged by a screw device, which is operative to twist or incline the parts that extend into the .l slot in the pistonskirt and thereby spread the skirt. r

Other objects of the invention should be readily 2 apparent from the following description, referwhich- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a split piston having my improved piston spreader in connection therewith. v Fig. 2. is a fragmentary view showing the inside of the piston skirt and the piston spreader connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the piston spreader apart from the piston.

The piston, in connection with which the invention is shown, is of a familiar type, including a head I supporting diametrically opposite piston pin bosses 2 which are integrally united with the head by connecting-portions 3. A skirt l is supported by the piston pin bosses 2 and has its upper end separated from the cylindrical portion of the head I by a space or slot 5. The skirt l is formed with a slot 6 extending from the lower end of the skirt to the space or slot 5 approximately midway between the bosses 2 at one side of the skirt.

The present invention comprises a strip of resilient metal, such as steel, shaped to provide an arcuate portion 1 having its ends 8 and 8 bent and extended toward each other. The end 8 has an outwardly extended part I0 with the marginal portion II thereof bent and extended in a direction away from the end 8. The terminal portion IZ/of the end 8 extends outwardly approximately 5o parallel with the outwardly extended portion I8. 'Hie parts II and I2 are provided with holes through which a screw or bolt' I3 extends, the

head I4 o f said screw o'r boltse'ating against the` outwardly extended part I2. A nut I5 is seated l 55 against the outwardly extended part I0 between ence being made to the annexed drawing, in

the end portion II thereof and the part 8 and is thereby locked or held from turning. Thus, when the screw or bolt I3 is screwed into the nut I5, the latter will be held from turning while the f L screwis free to operate. 5

The arcuate` portion l is formed with a pair of spaced lateral extensions I6 which are of increasing width from their. connection with one side of the arcuate portion l to their outer ends.l These extensions are designed and adapted to be placed 10 in the slot Band then twisted or inclined by screwing the screw or bolt I3 into and through the nut I 5 to reduce the radius of curvature of the arcuate portion 1. Obviously, when the curvature of the arcuate portion l is modified in this way by 15 tightening the screw I3, the parts I6 are twisted orinclined, with the result that the split skirt of the piston is spread or enlarged. The edges of the extensions I6 indent the walls of the slot 6 suiiiciently to obtain rigid hold and -to prevent 20 the device from slipping during operation of. the piston. Moreover, this cutting-ln eiect ofthe extensions I6 into the walls of the slot 6 may be increased as the piston operates in thecylinder.

This device may be manufactured and sold at 25 comparatively low cost and is strong and durable and cannot become 'dislodged or displaced during operation of the piston.

The formation and dimensions of the device may be varied within the scope' of equivalent 30 vlimits without deparature from the nature and side edge oil-said s/trip adapted to engage in the 45 slot of a split piston, and means supported vby said strip for inclining or twisting all of said extensions against both of the walls of the piston slot to spread the piston. v 3. A piston spreader comprising an arcuate resilient metallic strip,'lateral extensions integral with said strip adapted to extend into the slot of-a split piston, end portions extending away fromsaid strip, and means .supported by said end portions for bendingsaid strip and `causing the-side edges of each of said parts to exert pressure against opposite walls ofthe piston y slot to spread the piston. v

5.' A piston spreader comprising a resilient metalic'strip having a portion extending laterally from one of its side edges adapted to engage in the slot of a split piston. and means supported by said strip for twisting or inclining said portion and forcing its opposite side edge against opposite walls of the piston slot to spread the piston.

6. An expander comprising a member adapted tobeinsertedinaslotinthe skirtofapiston and by turning therein to expand said slot, and means adapted to hold said member'in partially turned position with relation to said slot.

'1. An expander comprising a tongue adaptedv Vtobeinsertedinaslotintheskirtofapistou and -by turning therein to expandsaid slot, means adapted to hold said tongue in partially.

turned -position with relation to said slot.

8. An expander comprising a spring provided at one end with a tongue adapted to be inserted in a slotjn the skirtof a piston and by turning therein tu expand said slot, and means adapted to hold said tongue in partially turned position with relation to said slot.

9. An expander comprising a member adapted tobeinsertedinaslotintheskirtofapiston and by turning therein to expand said slot. and adinstable means adapted tohold said member at such angle with'relation to said slot as may be w desired. e

` 10. The combination with a piston having a -skirt provided with a slot to permit expansion thereof, of an expander comprising a member adapted to be inserted in said slot and by turning therein to expand said slot. and means 20 adapted t0 hold said member in partially turned position with relation t0 said slot. f

. EDWARD B. 

